Local News

The City of Galax will continue working on a project that would give citizens a place to bring materials for recycling.

City Manager Keith Barker said at the Sept. 11 meeting of Galax City Council that “We have had some interest from citizens in recycling. We were looking at recycling some trash downtown,” but he did not know where that would be held.

INDEPENDENCE — Travis Dale Coulson, indicted earlier this year on multiple charges involving a car chase in Galax — which caused another driver to crash through a house — was found guilty in Grayson County Circuit Court for aggravated malicious wounding and destruction of property.

Carroll and Grayson counties are among the 104 localities awarded a total of $6 million in School Security Equipment Grants from the state, to help protect students and teachers.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced the grant awards last week.

Carroll County received $87,520 for the Carroll County Education Center; Carroll County High; Carroll County Middle; Fancy Gap, Gladesboro, Gladeville, Hillsville, Laurel and Oakland elementaries and St. Paul School.

Chapters Bookshop, located in downtown Galax, is a winner of the national 2017 Children’s Book Week Contest.

In celebration of the 98th anniversary of Children’s Book Week, 705 libraries, schools and bookstores were invited in May to enter a national display contest around the theme of “One World, Many Stories.”

INDEPENDENCE — An Independence man was recently arrested on various charges, following a vehicle pursuit that ended on foot after the driver reportedly drove through a metal gate into a river lot, according to a report from the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office.

Jason Scott Cornett, 34, of 4721 Pleasant Grove Road in Independence, has been charged with felony DUI (third offense in less than 10 years), felony attempt to elude law enforcement, reckless driving and a hit-and-run.

FRIES — When Sgt. Doug Carner, Internet Crimes Against Children investigator for the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office, arrived at Fries Town Council last week, he explained that his purple shirt signified domestic violence awareness.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but for Carner it’s a year-round focus of his job — an area of law enforcement that he feels should be improved.

INDEPENDENCE — Six out of the seven Grayson County schools received full accreditation this year; but that could change pending the results of an appeal regarding the seventh school, which fell just a few students shy of full accreditation.

Schools Superintendent Kelly Wilmore confirmed that the county would seek to appeal the state’s decision to only partially accredit Fries School, where science test score dipped. Only 22 students took the test.